Fresh Reads, Honest reviews, Educator-approved
When an unfair dress code policy targets Puerto Rican refugee Malena, outspoken feminist Ruby jumps to her defense, sparking an accidental high school rebellion. Written in dual perspectives by Mayra Cuevas and Marie Marquardt, Does My Body Offend You? is an empowering, highly relevant look at intersectionality, implicit bias, and true allyship. A realistic and timely social justice novel that high school readers—especially young women—will deeply appreciate.
An exceptional and award-winning graphic memoir, Tommie Smith’s Victory. Stand! chronicles the inspiring life story and personal sacrifices behind his iconic 1968 Olympic podium protest. Melding Derrick Barnes’s emotionally resonant writing with Dawud Anyabwile’s dynamic illustrations, this quick yet profound history is a powerful, highly accessible tool for school libraries and classrooms looking to explore civil disobedience, sports history, and the fight against racial injustice.
Told through the vulnerable eyes of a nine-year-old boy, Javier Zamora’s Solito is a gripping, deeply emotional memoir chronicling a perilous 3,000-mile immigration journey from El Salvador to the United States. Exploring themes of identity, profound resilience, and the beauty of found families, this powerful narrative serves as an invaluable tool for educators seeking to foster deep cultural empathy and critical global awareness in high school students.
Justice from the shadows vs. truth in the light. While high school sophomore Mafi dishes out anonymous, vigilante justice for bullied classmates as “The Ghost,” her family’s real-world crisis in Afghanistan forces her into a high-stakes public spotlight—prompting a complex look at international media activism and the danger of single-narrative history.
A scorching, empowering urban fantasy! When fourteen-year-old Lolo Wright witnesses a cop pull a gun on her brother, her hidden telekinetic powers ignite. Navigating a lethal neighborhood drug dealer determined to exploit her gifts and the sudden return of her estranged mother, Lolo transforms her internal spark into an unstoppable flame for justice.